China’s ambassador to Britain has been summoned to the Foreign Office as a diplomatic bust-up escalated over police “beating” a BBC journalist in Shanghai.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly called the top diplomat, Zheng Zeguang, to Whitehall to explain the treatment of Ed Lawrence who was arrested while covering protests against Xi Jinping’s zero Covid policy which includes draconian lockdown restrictions.
Foreign Office minister David Rutley told the Commons on Tuesday afternoon “a full and thorough explanation” will be demanded of the Chinese ambassador.
He described Mr Lawrence’s arrest as “a deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable situation”, saying: “In response, we are calling in the Chinese ambassador to make clear the unacceptable and unwarranted nature of these actions, the importance of freedom of speech, and to demand a full and thorough explanation.”
He added: “We recognise that the Covid-related restrictions in China are challenging for the Chinese people, and we urge the Chinese authorities to respect the rights of those who decide to express their views about the situation.”
Mr Rutley went on to say the Government recognises China poses a “systemic challenge to our values and interests” and that ministers “will continue to raise our human rights concerns at the highest levels”.
Earlier, Cabinet minister Michelle Donelan criticised Beijing after the Chinese foreign ministry claimed the BBC was maliciously playing the victim over Mr Lawrence’s arrest in Shanghai.
Downing Street on Monday condemned the treatment of the journalist was “shocking and unacceptable”.
But China’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that journalists should not engage in activities unrelated to their role.
The BBC is playing the victim, ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian added at a regular news conference in Beijing.
The Foreign Ministry also accused Britain of hypocritical double standards, and has contested the BBC statement, reportedly claiming Mr Lawrence did not identify himself as a journalist.
But Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan hit back strongly against Beijing, questioning whether the Chinese government was telling the full truth about the incident.
This one shows that the journalist being arrested by the Shanghai police while telling his friend to “ Call the consulate now” pic.twitter.com/1PAeOFNTyx
— Shanghaishanghai (@Shanghaishang10) November 27, 2022
She told LBC Radio: “I’ve seen the footage and it’s absolutely shocking.
“We believe in press freedom and the ability for the media to be able to report all over the globe and communicate what is actually happening on the ground and that I believe is what this individual was trying to do, they were just trying to do their job.
“It’s quite shocking that they were treated in such an appalling fashion.
“I await the full details of that from the Chinese government.
“I know that they have given a version of the truth which I’m sure we would all agree is very highly sceptical.”
The clash came just hours after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the “golden era” of relations with China, pushed by George Osborne as Chancellor, was over.
Instead, the Government would adopt a policy of “robust pragmatism” towards Beijing, amid growing worries over its global ambitions and human rights breaches.
The BBC issued a statement on Monday condemning the behaviour by Chinese police, adding that it had not been given a credible explanation for Mr Lawrence’s detention.
“The BBC is extremely concerned about the treatment of our journalist Ed Lawrence, who was arrested and handcuffed while covering the protests in Shanghai,” a spokesperson for the British public service broadcaster said.
A statement from the BBC on what happened to me in Shanghai last night while doing my job.
— Edward Lawrence (@EP_Lawrence) November 28, 2022
I understand at least one local national was arrested after trying to stop the police from beating me.
Thanks very much for the kind words and messages of concern. https://t.co/weoDAMakvO
“He was held for several hours before being released. During his arrest, he was beaten and kicked by the police. This happened while he was working as an accredited journalist.”
Video circulated on social media appeared to show the moment Mr Lawrence was arrested by four men in police uniforms.
While being led away, with his hands cuffed behind his back, he can be heard to say to a colleague: “Call the consulate now.”
Responding to the incident, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said on Monday: “The arrest of this journalist simply going about their work is shocking and unacceptable.
“Journalists must be able to do their jobs without fear of intimidation.”
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the arrest and reported beating of Mr Lawrence was “deeply disturbing” while Business Secretary Grant Shapps stressed there was “absolutely no excuse” for it.
He tweeted: “Media freedom and freedom to protest must be respected. No country is exempt.
“The arrest of BBC journalist @EP_Lawrence in China is deeply disturbing. Journalists must be able to do their job without intimidation.”
Mr Lawrence had been in Shanghai covering mass protests that have flared across China, over the country’s strict lockdown rules.
The protests were sparked by a deadly house fire in the western city of Urumqi that killed 10 people last last week.
The deadly blaze fuelled speculation that Covid curbs in the city, parts of which had been under lockdown for 100 days, had hindered rescue and escape, which city officials denied.
